'Malayalam film industry is the most happening industry'

'Malayalam film industry is the most happening industry'

Ace cinematographer Sameer Thahir has made a rather spectacular switch to direction.

His directorial debut, Chappa Kurishu, did make some waves but the release of his latest film, Neelakahsham Pachakkadal Chuvanna Bhoomi (Blue Sky, Green Waters, Red Earth) has catapulted him into a different league. In between, he directed one of the five short films in the 5 Sundarikal omnibus.

In Neelakahsham Pachakkadal Chuvanna Bhoomi, Dulquer Salmaan and Sunny Wayne go on a bike trip from Kozhikode to Nagaland.

In an exclusive interview, Sameer Thahir tells Vijay G about the making of this road movie. Excerpts:

What is the response to Neelakahsham Pachakkadal Chuvanna Bhoomi?

It’s really good. I was receiving positive response from only some sections of people after Chappa Kurishu. But people from all walks of life and of all ages are calling me after this movie.

'Making the movie was an enjoyable process'

More than the strain involved, it was an enjoyable process. The entire cast and crew took it all in the right spirit and we had real fun making the film.

We went for a trip by road before the actual shooting started to decide where we would set up the base camps from where we worked eventually. This really helped. We explored new places. We hired equipment from the local suppliers.

Are Malayali viewers in a mood to welcome these unconventional films?

I feel that the Malayalam industry is the most happening industry. There is a great atmosphere here considering the positive attitude of the viewers.